Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has fired a warning to out-of-form batter Babar Azam ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The ex-Pakistan skipper has been in miserable form over the last couple of years. From the ODI World Cup in 2023 to T20 World Cup earlier this year, Azam has not managed to get going with the bat. With just months left for the marquee event which is scheduled to held in February, Akhtar feels that it is high time that Babar pulls his socks up or else risk losing his spot in Pakistan team.
Shoaib Akhtar’s ultimatum to Babar Azam ahead of CT 2025
Shoaib Akhtar admitted that while Babar Azam was indeed a star player who has the backing of entire Pakistan, he must score at least three match-winning hundreds leading to ICC Champions Trophy. In fact, Babar stands a good chance to regain form as Pakistan have a hectic white-ball schedule leading to CT 2025. Akhtar stressed on the need for Babar Azam to start scoring runs urgently or else face the axe.
“Babar needs to be at his best in the Champions Trophy. He will have to score three match-winning hundreds; otherwise, the path is going to be difficult for him,” Shoaib Akhtar said.
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Babar Azam’s last century in an ODI game came against Nepal in 2023 and since then, his form has detoriated. Considered to be among the ‘Fab 4’, the former Pakistan skipper has been sloppy across formats. He was dropped midway through the series against England at home amid his poor run in Tests. He found his way back into the squad for the series against Australia but failed to fire in Down Under. He has been rested for the series against Zimbabwe but is set to make his return in the next tour of South Africa.
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